Education protest at California Capitol leads to dozens of arrests

At the state Capitol in Sacramento late Monday, California Highway Patrol officers arrested dozens of protestors. The arrests came after a day of rallies, marches and sit-ins to protest cuts to education.

CHP officers arrested the demonstrators for trespassing in a public building, when they stayed inside the capitol rotunda past closing time. The protestors included several teachers who want the Legislature to extend some temporary taxes to prevent the layoffs of thousands of educators.

The other demonstrators represent dozens of groups opposed to the education cuts and a few other things – they chanted for higher taxes on wealthy Californians and corporations, social justice and an end to war.

CHP officers warned the group to leave the building, or face arrest. The crowd responded by locking arms and singing – "Hokey Pokey," Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up” and the national anthem.

Some chanted “education, not incarceration.” CHP officers used plastic zip ties to handcuff demonstrators and escort them out of the capitol building one at a time.

The protests are expected to continue all week at the Capitol. The California Teachers Federation’s called for a rally and sit-in on Friday.